Etihad Dealt Blow in Fight for Air Berlin Code Shares

A German court on Wednesday upheld a government decision to withdraw code share rights between Eithad Airways and Air Berlin on 29 flights through the end of its winter schedule, drawing a sharp rebuke from the Persian Gulf airline and a pledge to appeal the decision. Etihad holds a 29.2 percent stake in Air Berlin.

“The social and economic damage to Germany by this decision is significant,” said Etihad in a written statement. “The withdrawal of approval for code share services on 29 routes materially reduces competition and consumer choice within and beyond Germany and causes inconvenience to passengers.”

In October Etihad won an injunction allowing it to continue operating all its code-share flights with Air Berlin to the 29 destinations in Europe, the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates.